A Guide to Dry Dog & Cat Food : Australia

I read on the Hills website that this food “is clinically proven to improve quality of life in dogs”. I’m not really sure what that means? Does it improve the quality of life in dogs that are currently being fed sawdust? It’s a meaningless statement to me.

The main ingredient in this food is brewers rice – stuff that gets thrown out the back door of a beer brewery. It definitely doesn’t sound like a good food to me.

I hear claims of sick dogs being given 6 months to live, then survive on this food for years. That might be true, but would they have done better on a food with better ingredients? I don’t know, and I can’t answer that.

Brewers rice – a waste product. This is the main ingredient – how can that be healthy?

Corn gluten meal – a by-product of a non-nutritious filler. This ingredient can promote allergies in dogs.

Beet pulp – a dubious source of fibre, and high in sugar.

Iodized salt – can cause kidney dysfunction and hypertension.

Calcium sulphate – Plaster of Paris!

How on earth can they charge such a premium price for a food with so much rubbish in it? Even the vitamin and mineral sources are relatively standard, none of them are quality.

I realise this is a formulation for dogs with kidney problems, but it concerns me there’s no meat in the food (only pork fat). How will your dog retain strength and muscle mass? The brewers rice and other fillers will cause your dog to add weight and lose muscle, which can lead to no end of other problems in the long term. Your dog may “survive” on this food, but they’ll never “thrive” on it.

Given the food is sold as a prescription formula, and given what they charge per kilo, I’m astounded they get away with selling it. Why do vets recommend it?

If this has helped you please take the time to share it to other Australian pet owners. Thank you 🙂

Where to buy?

Good points…

Flaxseed is high on the ingredients which is necessary for kidney (and overall) health.

Bad points…

The ingredients are very sub-standard.

Guaranteed Analysis

* Carbohydrates aren’t listed on pet food labels. This value is calculated based on levels of protein, fat, moisture, and ash. Estimated values for moisture and ash have been used where these values haven’t been given (moisture of 10%, and ash of 8%).